THE HOUSE AND SENATE. Beacon Hill Roll Call records the votes of local senators on three roll calls from prior sessions during the week of July 26-31. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

TEACH FINANCIAL LITERACY IN SCHOOLS (S 2275)

Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill requiring the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to help implement programs on teaching personal financial literacy in public schools, within the existing mathematics curriculum. The programs would include understanding loans, borrowing money, interest, credit card debt, online commerce, rights and responsibilities of renting or buying a home, saving and investing, and planning for retirement.

Supporters said this would give students the skills that are necessary to understand and properly handle money and finances while they are in school and after they graduate. They noted that the recent financial meltdown showed how little many consumers know about finances.

(A "Yes" vote is for the bill.)

Sen. Robert Hedlund, Yes                                     

HUMAN TRAFFICKING (S 2589)

Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House legislation to combat human sex, slave and forced labor trafficking. The measure creates a new crime of forced sex or labor and punishes offenders with penalties of up to $2,000 and life in prison. The fines would go into a fund to help the victims.

Supporters said this long-overdue bill would crack down on loathsome people who sell human beings and educate local law enforcement on how to identify, find and help these victims. They noted it is time for the state to step up to the plate because the federal government doesn't have the resources or will to combat this problem.

(A "Yes" vote is for the bill.)

Sen. Robert Hedlund, Yes                                     

POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION (H 4859)

Senate 39-0, approved and sent to Gov. Patrick legislation that would require the state's Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop a program to promote awareness of and help destigmatize postpartum depression, a condition that can affect women following childbirth. The measure also requires DPH to compile statistics on how many women are suffering from this horrible disorder.

Another provision would create a special commission to investigate and study the best ways to prevent, detect and treat the condition and recommend legislation to promote greater public awareness of it.

The original version of the bill included a provision requiring all health care plans to cover benefits for screening for post-partum depression. This new version does not include that requirement.

Supporters said it is time to take this disease out of the shadows and to help the millions of people afflicted by it. They noted that an estimated one in eight women are afflicted with this disease.

(A "Yes" vote is for the bill.)

Sen. Robert Hedlund, Yes                                     

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

The governor last week signed into law the following bills:

BAN SALE OF NOVELTY CIGARETTE LIGHTERS (S 2578) - This bill bans the sale of toy-like or novelty lighters that appeal to children 10 years of age or younger. These lighters include ones that resemble cartoon characters, toys, guns, musical instruments, vehicles or animals.

STORAGE CHARGES FOR TOWED CARS (H 4171) - This legislation increases from $20 per day to $35 per day the maximum amount facilities can charge to store cars that are ordered towed by the police. Local cities and towns have the power to set the rates for their communities but are not allowed to exceed the state-mandated maximum.

HEALTH CARE CHANGES (S 2585) - This measure makes changes in the health care system. A key provision would require health insurance companies in the small group market to offer at least one reduced network plan with premiums 12 percent lower than those for a full network plan. Other provisions include allowing small businesses to band together and form associations in order to have leverage and group buying power when seeking lower premiums, establishing standardized transparency measures for provider pricing and annual public reporting and giving small businesses that participate in a wellness program an additional 5 percent state subsidy for eligible health insurance costs beginning in 2011.

MOTORCYCLE PERMITS FOR UNDER 18 (S 2344) - This proposal requires applicants under 18 to successfully complete a motorcycle basic rider course approved by the registrar of motor vehicles in order to receive a motorcycle driver's learning permit. This new requirement would be in addition to current law that requires applicants under 18 to have parental consent and pass a written test and eye exam. The measure, known as "Ryan's Bill," is named after Ryan Orcutt, a 16-year-old boy from Brockton who died in a motorcycle accident.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

"Capital 'I,' baby."

–– From a State House News Service story on former State Rep. Maryanne Lewis, a four-term Democratic House member who announced that she will run as an Independent to seek the Congressional seat in the 10th District.

"The (Christy) Mihos Committee received excess contributions from individuals, accepted and deposited approximately $2,600 in prohibited corporate contributions, disclosed the corporate contributions as being received by individuals and did not keep detailed accounts of all expenditures."

–– Statement from the Office of Campaign and Political Finance on some of the reasons a $70,000 fine was imposed Christy Mihos, convenience store magnate and former GOP candidate for governor.

"Polls shouldn't be used to decide whom voters get to hear. Debates should drive the polls, not vice-versa."

–– Green-Rainbow gubernatorial candidate Jill Stein on plans by a consortium of nine media organizations to allow only candidates who have raised $100,000 and show 5 percent support in the polls to participate in two proposed gubernatorial debates sponsored by the consortium.

"I am disturbed to learn that life insurance companies are potentially profiting by the deaths of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation."

–– Rep. Harold P. Naughton (D-Clinton) charging that some insurance companies are withholding funds and benefits from families of servicemen and servicewomen.

Volume 26 -Report No. 32

August 13, 2010

Copyright © 2010 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved.

By Bob Katzen